Batteries, When to Change Them
As winter approaches a lot of people start to worry about the effects of winter on their car. One of the first things that comes to mind is their battery, " Please check my battery, I do not want my car to let me down this winter" is something we commonly hear.
At every 15k service period, (15k, 30k, 45k, etc.), we check your battery. It is run through a number of tests all of which give us an idea of its condition. If it fails any of the tests, we recommend a new battery.
However, we often find ourselves in a difficult situation, we want you to get as much life out of your battery as possible, but we also don't want it to fail and leave you stranded! Unfortunately, there is no definitive way of knowing how much life is left in your battery. Some batteries last longer than you would think possible, 6-7 years, while others fail after only two years.
Some of the tests we use on batteries can point to a future problem - then we can tell you your battery is marginal. This, of course, is the best time to change your battery. We also suggest that even if your battery passes all our tests, but is over 4 years old then for your peace of mind it is wise to change your battery.
Changing the battery before it goes bad has another positive effect, a weak or marginal battery can cause your alternator (the generator that replenishes the battery) to work harder. When your alternator works harder it gets hotter and this can lead to a shorter life expectancy. Alternators cost up to $400, even more for some imports, so it pays to have a good battery, and not put any extra strain on your alternator causing it to fail early.
We always recommend good quality batteries. We believe that Delco has the best name for quality batteries, they cost a little more but they last the longest. Delco batteries are installed in Honda and GM at the factory. We keep a complete range of Delco batteries on hand. They come with a 2 year direct replacement warranty followed by a further 4 years prorated warranty.
So, when to change your battery? There is no hard and fast rule, but our tests help us to advise you when to change yours - before it leaves you stranded at the roadside!
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